Grizzlies best KIJHL-leading Kelowna Chiefs in 2OT thriller

The highly anticipated match-up between the two best teams in the KIJHL didn’t disappoint the Revelstoke Forum crowd on Friday night, ending in a double-overtime win for the hometown Grizzlies.

As hot as the Grizzlies have been since the puck dropped on their 2018–2019 campaign (16-1-0-0-0), the Chiefs have been hotter, with a 17-0-1-0-2 record to date. Both teams were looking to make a statement in an early November test that may well resonate in post-season play.

After dominating their recent opponents at home in possession and shots, then sweeping them aside, the Grizzlies had a true test against the Chiefs. They were up against a Chiefs team that boasts the top three points-earners in the KIJHL in Brody Dale, Zach Erhardt, and Devin Sutton, and had to adjust to deal with a fast and disciplined team with explosive offensive capabilities.

Ethan Schaeffer drew first blood for the Grizzlies with 3:29 left in the first when he found himself with room and one-timed a feed from captain Tommy Bodtker.

Kelowna Chiefs scoring leader Brody Dale makes the Grizzlies play after a poor clearing attempt from behind the net. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

It took just over a minute for the Chiefs to even up the score. Brody Dale, the KIJHL’s leader in scoring (23), assists (33) and points (56), capitalized on a flubbed clearing attempt from behind the goal line, whacking one into an open net as Grizzlies goalie Liam McGarva tried to rush back into position.

The Grizzlies’ Raymond Speerbrecker put the Grizzlies ahead in the second with an assist from Matt Cadden. Once again, Brody Dale brought the Chiefs back into parity with an assist from Zach Earhardt.

In the third, Josh Irvine put the home team up 3-2 with an assist from Carter Anderson and Ullar Wiatzka.

The Grizzlies were poised to hand the Chiefs their first regulation-time loss of the season with under a minute to go. But for the third time in the night, Brody Dale showed why he’s on top of the KIJHL scoring board, notching up a clutch goal and a hat-trick with an assist from Zach Erhardt.

It took nearly two overtime periods for the decider. The Grizzlies’ Tommy Bodtker capitalized on a feed from Ullar Wiatzka for the 4-3 winner with 3:02 remaining.

Attendance was up as Revelstoke came out to see the top two KIJHL teams in the province face off at the Forum on Nov. 9. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

The competitive game had its share of tripping, kneeing, roughing, cross-checking, and slashing calls, and one misconduct, but there were no fighting majors on the night.

Grizzlies netminder Liam McGarva once again earned the first star, turning away 45 of 48 shots. Over nearly five periods, the Grizzlies put 44 shots on Chiefs goalie Braeden Mitchell, who stopped all but four. In comparison, the Grizzlies put up 59 shots in three periods in their last outing versus the Kamloops Storm.

The attendance of about 750 was up from their previous game, when fewer came out to see Kootenay Conference visitors the Spokane Braves.

The Revelstoke Grizzlies now head on a tough, extended road trip where they’ll play a series of competitive teams. They play the Kamloops Storm, the 100 Mile House Wranglers twice, then the Kelowna Chiefs in Rutland, and then the Summerland Steam.

The Grizzlies return to home ice on Friday, Nov. 30 when they play Kootenay Conference visitors Beaver Valley Nitehawks (9-9-1-0-1). The puck drops at 7 p.m.